CHANICS' INSTITUTE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3907, 25 August 1874, Page 3

CHANICS' INSTITUTE.

A meeting of persona agreeable to the formation of a Working Men's Club and Mechanics' Institute was held at the Athenaeum last evening. The Mayor, Mr K. Ramsay, in the chair. There were about 60 persons present. ;

The Chairman read the requisition asking him, as Mayor, to call the meeting, and the reply convening the same.

The Mayor said it was not his intention to d-tain the meeting by a speech, and explained that the matter would be. brought before them in a proper form in a series of resolutions that would be submitted for their approval. He then informed them of the circumstances under which the project had been brought before the public, and of the offer of Messrs Larnach and Clarke. Mr Larnach intended to give £50, and Mr Clarke £100. The conditions were that when an equal sum, making £300, was subscribed the money should be expended in the purchase of a freehold site, which should not be either sold or mortgaged, and that no wines or spirits should be used in the club. He had written to Melbourne for a copy of the rules and regulations of the club there, and expected that a copy would be here by the next meeting. He-would now call upon Mr Johnston.

Mr Thos. Johnston informed the meeting that, two or three weeks ago, Mr Ramsay told him he had correspondence from Messrs Clarke and Larnach with reference to forming a working men's club. It was a subject which he (Mr Johnston) had thought over for some time past, and came to the conclusion that an effort should be made to cooperate with Mr Ramsay in the matter. The time passed, no one took any action on it, and it was suggested to him that he should move in it himself. He wrote out a requisition, and got it signed by about 100 names. The resolution he had to propose was, " That this meeting cordially accepts the offer of Messrs* Clarke and Larrach in connection with the establishment of a Working Men's Club and Mechanics' Institute, and desires to express its thanks to those gentlemen for their liberality." He thought, as an individual, that a working man's club in. Dunedin was very requisite. .! The working men of Dunedin had no place i of their own as a house or club. If a club were formed there would be a reading-room and library, a lecture-room or hall, where members could hold their meetings, and which could be for the use of all; classes would-be formed, as in surh institutions in other countries, and he believed the Institution would be for the benefit of the working classes generally. There was one restriction, and he thought it very good, that intoxicating drinks be not sold in the building. That restriction was one of the main causes which led him to take an interest in the proposed club. The institution, he thought, would commend itself to the working men of Dunedin. He did not know why so many had not attended, the meeting—perhaps it was owing to the inclemency of the weather. He thought those who bad a mind to elevate the working man should take part in this proposed institution. Messrs Clarke and Larnach had come forward with a handsome sum, and he thought that there were many gentlemen in Dunedin who, only if they took the matter into consideration, and thought of the benefit that would accrue to the workingclasses, wouldhandsomelysubscribe in this great work. To be able to meet where the sale of intoxicating drink was prohibited was a thing that would alone commend it to the public of Dunedin. He that though the first meeting was a tame one the institution would not thereby suffer. [ Mr F. J. Miller would second the motion pro forma. He rather thought that the project was premature. That -was one reason why it was possible Messrs Clarke and Larnach's liberality might not be taken advantage of. Nevertheless, they could thank those gentlemen for the spirit in which their offer had been made.

Dr Bakewkll believed that if they attempted to form a club in which no liquor would be sold»it would be : a dead failure. He saw no reason why working men should not be trusted in a club of their own with the opportunity of drinking as well as any other class in the community. They would not get the most intelligent and advanced of the worlring men to join a club where they would be put under restrictions to which a gentleman was not subjected in his own club. From their power of self-control the working men could be trusted as well as any other class of the community. He moved, as an amendment — " That this meeting, while thanking Messrs Clarke and Larnach very cordially for the kind offer they have made, respectful!y decline it on the conditions given in their letter."]

No one seconding Dr Bakewell's amendment, it lapsed.

The motion was carried by a majority. Mr IT. S. Fisit, jun., moved—"That, in the opinion of this meeting, Ike establishment of a Working Men's Club and Mechanics' Institute will supply a long-felt want in this city, and will tend to the elevation of the working classes; and this meeting pledges itself to use its utmost endeavours to carry out the same." He thought the subject matter so good, that it needed very little to recommend it. Ho was very sorry to see so small a meeting. With the large number of working men in the city, and with the publicity the meeting had grot, it should have been crowded to excess, and it did not argue well for the success of the proposed institution, to his mind, to see so few present. The working men of Dunedin— that was to say the artisans—bad now the opportunity of placing themselves in such a position as regarded their mental cultivation that they never had before. The name, he thought, was a mismmor. Instead of Working Men's Club, it should have been Working Men's Institute. The working men would, if they supported the institution with zeal and heartiness, have an opportunity of providing themselves with a means of acquiring intellectual advantages such as they never had before in Dunedin—having; a pace where they could hold their meetings and debate those objects which were for the good of the whole body, and he thought such a work was worth the support and assistance of every true working man. The mover of the previous resolution had stated there was no doubt there wik a number of gentlemen besides Messrs Clarke and Lamach who would give the institution their support and he (Mr Fish) had no doubt there were a number of philanthropic men in Dunedin who would gladly give sums in aid of this institute. But he would impress upon working men that its successful realisation must depend upon themselves. They must nob give up their moral support, but put their hands in their breeches'poekets. There were 2000 artizans of the different crafts in Dunedin, who, if they subscribed 103 a-piece would raise £1000, and if that were done, he had no doubt that as much more would be raised by persons in different positions. If £2000 were sot together, the affair would take root and flourish. There was one condition which he thought might be withdrawn, and bethought Messrs Larnaek and Clarke might, on proper represc nta lions being made to them, withdraw it. He referred to the stipulation that the site hf> neither sold nor mortgaged. It might be thit a mortgage would be required. Of course it might not be necessary, but if necessary, he had no doubt that Messrs Clarke and Larnach would withdraw the stipulation. In the otV.er stipulation he thoroughly and heartily concurred. If it were allowed that drink be sold in the proposed club, he for one would have nothing to do with it. The remarks of Dr Bakewell were out of place. The condition was not meant as a reflection that they could not be trusted. If an institution were to be got up for people in a superior position, he (Mr Fish) would advocate the same. Scientific lectures could be given by men in our midst; also other lectures that would amuse and entertain, and he had no doubt thee were gentlemen who would give lectures once a week. The whole thing dependpd on the artisans of the town. If they did not respond it would be their own fault; and with all respect to them, he thoueht it would be an everlasting disgrace to them if they did not come forward with their money and moral support. If they did come forward, the institution would be a success, and they would be proud of it ever after.

Mr J. B. Thomson seconded the resolution. Most of them had known what such institutions had done at home. There were many of the artizans in the old country who had risen to fame, and who had received the instruction they could not receive at school at the classes in such institutions. There were tradesmen who had so risen to wealth ; and there were other men again who had neglected such opportunities, and in after years could not rise through the fear that if they took any higher situation their deficient education might bring upon them disappointment and disgrace.

Mr M'Gkegor, Princes street, said, according to the resolution the institution was to be called a Working Men's Club, and according to the speakers it was to be an educational institution. They had the latter in the Athenaeum. The proposed club should be more of a home than of an educational institute.

Mr Burt agreed with the last speaker. He (Mr Burt) held the institution they wanted was a place where young men (married men generally preferred their own firesides) could have a game of cards or billiards, for which many, have to go to a hotel. Now, in Glasgow a couple of tradesmen could go into a Working Man's Club and have a game of billiards for a penny. Now, that was the sort of institution he wanted. He quite con curred with keeping spirituous liquors away from the club. He might go to the extent of admitting beer, but not to the extent of making the club a liquor shop. He should have the amusements which were to be found in the principal hotels provided for a trifle— people, for instance, to have their game of cards, call for light refreshments, and go home ; and if billiards were to be had for a penny in Glasgow they might be had at 3d here. If that were done the working men would have the same opportunity of enjoying themselves as the middle and upper classes. A subscription of 10s or £1 a year would provide them with luxuries which now cost them a great deal of money. lie looked to the club ultimately providing accommodation on a large scale for young men—tradesmen and clerks—^giving them what cost them in a private house from 25s to 30s per week for from 18s to 20s, and, in addition, the amusements they could not there get. He held what they wanted was a Working Men's Club such as he had described. Everything in the way of an educational institution was to be found in the Athenaeum.

Mr Miller said they could have a club and educational in-titu'tion combined. They should have a place where working .-,men could meet and discuss social questions without going to a public house.

Mr Shaw mentioned that he had taken an interest in the subject, and had bestowed some thought on it. He agreed largely with the gentleman who had spoken last. There were three notions that shaped themselves out as fundamental. They met one from whatever side the question was approached, and they would be always coming up, from whatever point the matter was looked at. The first was the spontaneity of the body for whom the club was meant, the second was the question of the admission of drink, and the third was the character of the institute, or whatever they might call it, regarded it .as a medium of amusement, or as a medium of insfcmction, or as of both, and the relation which one of these things should bear to the other. The first part was as to the spontaneity of the working men—he must share in the regret which Mr Fish had expressed at the small attendance. He, certainly expected a much larger attendance, but he did not think that would tell upon anybody taking an interest in the matter. There would be plenty of interest in it once it was properly awakened. Unless that were ultimately evoked among those the club was intended for, the whole thing would be worse than useless. He regarded such a club as an educating medium in the largest sense that the word would bear. When he said that he did not alone mean book-learning or newspapers, but every influence which could be brought to bear upon man, and above all, every influence which men could bring to bear upon each other to bring forth the spirit of self-dependence. But unless the club were self-moving—that was the cardinal point of the whole —it would be worse than useless. Mr Shaw then referred to a chapter of Mr J. S. Mill's Political Economy on the subject, in -which Mr Mill regarded these clubs as a hopeful sign of the future. The second point was one on which he held a strong opinion, and : which he regarded as absolutely essential, and that was, as to the admission of drink. He admitted this was a very difficult point, and he would say it was from this particular point that he ever came to consider the matter—he came to consider it seeing the drinking habits that prevailed everywhere in the Colonies. He had heard about Permissive Bills, and Licensing Acts, and Ordinances ; but having studied these for three or four years under an able economist, Dr Hearn, of Melbourne, he came to the conclusion that they could not by any Act or Ordinance, or any positive law, stop drinking. It could only be stopped by carrying the things which led men to associate together in public-houses where they have inducements which made them drink too much, to places where there was nofceuch a temptation. Men went to public-houses under a proper impulse, love of association,

they degenerated withcit associates, and it was from this side that he had come to the question. The point was a most essential one, and bad givon him a great deal of trouble. He totally disagreed in attaching degradation to a restriction—his own feeliug was that if; was better to have the restriction put on. The third point was the character of the institution as regarded instruction or amusement, or both. He was decidedly of opinion that it would be waste of time and waste of money to make a SBcond Athenatum. He thought most deiiledly that the social element should predominate, and very greatly predominate. But he would not certainly exclude the other—he wojld have newspapers there, and amusing books ; but he should let the smoking room be there, the billiard room, weekly or fortnightly concerts, alternating with something more instructive, lie did not see any reason why this could not be carried out, and thought it could be done with very little expenditure of money, and he believed, if once set agoing, the club would draw the people to it for whom it was really meant. Mr Shaw then gave a short summary of the views he had before more fully expressed. He mentioned that he was inclined to exclude drink. However, that was an open point. He dwelt on the fact that they must gain the symj>athies of those for whom the club was mainly meant. After some remarks from Mr Grant and other speakers,

Mr Fish amended his motion by striking out the words " and Mechanics' Institute," and

The motion as amended was carried unanimously.

Mr Robin proposed the next resolution, as follows :—'• That in order to give effect to the resolutions jusb passed, and render the donation of Messrs Clarke and Larnach available, a Committee be formed for the purpose of collecting subscriptions; also, to obtain as much information as possible as to the working of similar institutions, and report to a future meeting—such Committee to consist of His Worship the Mayor, Messrs j Butler, Bowers, H. Muir, W. Nees, J. F. I Miller, T. Condon, W. Mercer, A. Burt, A. Sligo, A. Lees, T. Johnston, J. B. Thomson, Jas. Gore, 1). R, Hay, H. J. Walter, H. S. Fish, Allen, W. Wishart, and the mover, with power to add to their number." The speaker said he did not intend to detain the meeting with any remarks of his own upon the matter, as it had been pretty well ventilated. The proposed Committee had been selected from almost every trade in the city, and the clause "With power to add to their number," was for the purpose of securing representatives from those trades? which were not yet represented. He believed that the success which attended similar institutions in Glasgow and other places wai pr ncipally owing to the absence of intoxicating drinks. He proposed the motion with very much diffidence, because there were so few representatives of the working classes of Dunedin present. It was a very hard matter to induce the working clashes to take an interest in anything that affected themselves. If they had thought there was going to be a free fight, or that Mr J. G. S. Grant would address th> meeting, they would no doubt have attended in larger numbeis. He would simply propose the resolution.—(Applause.) Mr C. R. Chapman seconded, and expressed his pleasuie at the meeting having been called. He had written to the newspapers on the subject, and always took great interest in such institutions. If tbe Working Men's Club were established, those specially interested would be enabled to discuss political and other questions, instead of frequenting public houses and standing at the street corners. In the home country there were no less than 355 Working Men's Club", having a membership of 90,000, and the: number was gradually increasing.—(Hear, hear.)

Mr J. M'Laren moved the following amendment:—" That in the opinion of this meeting, the Committee should be chosen by themselves."

A Voice : Whatever does that mean ? This was followed by loud cries of " Chair," and another uproar ensued.

The. Chairman explained that other persons than those mentioned could be proposed as members of Committee.

Mr Bowbn seconded the amendment.

Another speaker thought the meeting should be adjourned, as those who took the initiative, be said, had not the stamp of working men. He denounced it as a "hole and corner arrangement," and. supported tbe amendment. .

Mr Johnston replied that he had taken the principal action in the movement, and placed the names of the Committee on the list. He had endeavoured to have the working classes properly represented on the Committee, having gone through the town and picked out the various trades. He thought there were only two classes in Dunedin—those who had money, and those who had none.—(Laughter.) The Chairman remarked that is was not the intention of the promoters to make the meeting a hole-and-corner affair. Mr Johnston had stated quite correctly what had been done in the matter. He (the Chairman) would now put the amendment. Mr Bert thought an advertisement should be placed in the papers, requesting the various trades to send delegates to the Committee.

The CiiAiKarAjr said that Mr Burt's suggestion was a good one, and he would have it carriibd out.

The amendment was then put and lost, the motion afterwards being canied by a large majority.

Mr Fish proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was carried by acclamation, and the meeting terminated shortly before 10 o'clock^ ■-••••.